Radiant heater

ABSTRACT

A radiant heater includes means for delivery of heat by convection as well as radiation. A heater subassembly is formed by a tempered glass electric radiant heating panel supported in spaced relation to a mounting panel by flanges extending forwardly from the top and bottom margins of the mounting panel. The heater subassembly is suspended within a main frame member in spaced relation to the walls thereof by a plurality of spaced flange members extending rearwardly from the top margin of the mounting panel and engaged with projections stuck out from the main frame member. A plurality of spaced, articulated, rearwardly extending flange members are provided at the bottom margin of the mounting panel to properly position the subassembly relative to the main frame member. The arrangement allows first convection air flow path between the heater panel and the mounting panel and a second convection air flow path between the mounting panel and the main frame member.

[151 3,691,345 51 Sept. 12,1972

[ RADIANT HEATER [72] inventors: Robert L. Needham, Bayside, N.Y.;

Continental Radiant Glass Heating Corporation, New York, NY.

[73] Assignee: Continental Radiant Glass Heating Corporation, New York,N.Y.

[22] Filed: June 18, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 47,410

[52] US. Cl. ..2l9/345, 165/55, 219/342, 219/357, 219/367, 219/377,219/543 [51] Int. Cl ..H05b 3/22, F24h 9/02 [58] Field of Search..2l9/342, 345, 353-357, 219/366-368, 377, 375, 543, 343, 213; 165/49,52-57, 129

6/1957 Knoll ..2l9/345 Primary ExaminerA. Bartis Attorney-Douglas W.Wyatt ABSTRACT A radiant heater includes means for delivery of heat byconvection as well as radiation. A heater subassembly is formed by atempered glass electric radiant heating panel supported in spacedrelation to a mounting panel by flanges extending forwardly from the topand bottom margins of the mounting panel. The heater subassembly issuspended within a main frame member in spaced relation to the wallsthereof by a plurality of spaced flange members extending rearwardlyfrom the top margin of the mounting panel and engaged ,with projectionsstuck out from the main frame member. A plurality of spaced,articulated, rearwardly extending flange members are provided at thebottom margin of the mounting panel to properly position the subassemblyrelative to the main frame member. The arrangement allows firstconvection air flow path between the heater panel and the mounting paneland a second convection air flow path between the mounting panel and themain frame member.

3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures FIG? I F/aa PATENTEMEPI: 1912 3.691, 345-sum 2 or .2

INVENTOR 0555/ 4. A/EEP/VAM ATTORNEY;

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to radiant heaters ofthe kind disclosed in US. Pat. Nos. 2,770,704 and 2,781,440.

These patents disclose radiant heaters including a heating panel oftempered glass plate having a metallic grid heating element laminated tothe glass plate. The heating panel is mounted on a sub-frame which isfitted into a support frame. The metallic grid heating element iselectrically energized and radiates heat through the glass plate intoa'living space. Convection currents pass through spaces in the heatercreated by the assembly details of the sub-frame and the support frame.The convection currents serve to cool the rear portion of the heater.and carry heat by convection from the heater into the living space.

. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention relates toimprovements in relation to the construction of double frame radiantheaters to provide a relatively simple and economic construction and toprovide for efficient movement of convection air currents through theheater frame thereby to improve the effectiveness of the heater.Advantageously, the radiant heater is provided with a structure thatallows a first path for a stream of air to flow directly between a spaceprovided between the heater panel and the heater support panel and asecond path for a stream of air between the heater support panel and themain frame of convection air currents for heating. In addition, theradiant heater is constructed with a heater support panel having flangesadvantageously constructed to allow the flow of air through the spacesprovided thereby.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention toprovide a radiant heater having an improved double frame constructionwhich promotes the effectiveness of delivery of heat to a living space,particularly regarding the delivery of convection air currents throughthe heater.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent uponan understanding of the illustrative embodiment described below or willoccur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention inpractice.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment has been chosen fordescribing and illustrating the principles of the present invention andis illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the radiant heater according tothe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a section view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a section view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a section view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are detailed views illustrating the preferred arrangementfor securing the support frames to each other in the radiant heater ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION Referring to the drawings,the radiant heater according to the present invention, is constructedand designed for use in a living space or if desired in any other placein need of heat. The radiant heater may be mounted on a wall surface,for example under a window sill or it may be mounted overhead on aceiling surface.

The radiant heater 10 comprises a double frame construction including aheater frame sub-assembly 12 and a main support frame 14 by which theheater may be mounted on a wall surface. A heating panel 16 is fittedinto the heater frame sub-assembly 12 which is mounted on the mainsupport frame 14. A grill 18 comprising vertical and horizontal rodmembers 20 and 22 covers the heating panel, protects the radiant heaterfrom being contacted.

The heater frame sub-assembly 12 (FIGS. 2 and 3) includes the heatingpanel 16 which includes a tempered glass plate 26 backed by a suitablemetallic grid heating element 28 which maybe made of aluminum or othermaterial for conducting electricity and for this purpose a suitableelectrical connection 30 is attached to the metallic grid through asuitable conduit 31. The heat energy is supplied by resistance heatingof the metallic grid 28 which radiates heat energy through the temperedglass plate and also heats the entire heater and ambient air so thatconvection currents carry heat from the heater into the living space.

The heater frame sub-assembly 12 also includes a mounting panel 32comprising a plate of suitable sheet metal having forwardly directedflanges 34 and 36 at its upper and lower edges. These forward flangesreceive resilient and heat resistant spacing members preferably siliconerubber grommets 38in which the heating panel 16 is mounted. The siliconerubber spacing members allow for expansion of the glass plate from roomtemperature to its operative heating temperature which may be around 300Farenheit. By using silicone rubber I spacing members it is possible tohave a compact and tight assembly at room temperature thus to avoidrattling as well as at a high operating temperature.-

A forward frame member 40 holds the heating panel 16 in position withrespect to the supporting panel 32. The forward frame member includes aninwardly directed flange 42 portion which bears against the glass plate26 to hold it in place. Suitable fastening means such as screws 44illustrated in FIG. 4 secure the forward frame member 40 to the supportpanel 32 so to provide a compact heating heater frame sub-assembly. Itwill be observed that the heater frame sub-assembly 12 includes thefront grill 18 which protects the heating element from inadvertentcontact. Preferably the protective grill is spot welded or otherwiseconnected to the sub-assembly at spaced points 46 to allow for expansionof the grill and to reduce the required points of contact between thegrill and the heater frame sub-assembly. Preferably the grill comprisesa lattice-work vertical and horizontal rod members 20 and 22 suitablybent to provide for a reasonable spacing of the grill from the surfaceof the heater panel.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, it will be observed that the supportpanel 32 further includes rearwardly directed flange members 48 and 50at its upper and lower edges respectively. As best shown in FIG. 4, theforward 34 and rear 48 flanges are spaced from each other to allow forpassage of air between the flanges so that convection currents may coolthe rear portions of the radiant heater as more fully described below.It will be observed that the lower rear flange members 50 of themounting panel include articulated downwardly and frontwardly extendingpanel portions 51 and 53. One lower flange member 50 supports a grommet52 through which the electrical connection passes. The articulatedpanels 51 and 53 also function in assembling the heater as more fullydescribed below.

The main support frame 14 comprises a generally dish-shaped sheet metalplate 54 having a rear panel member 56 and upstanding bottom 58 and topwall 60 portions as well as end wall portions 61 illustrated in FIGS. 1and 4. The main support frame is suitably dimensioned to receive theheater frame sub-assembly. The upper portion 60 of the main frame asillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 is outwardly curved to provide a smoothpath for the convection current passing through the spaces between thevarious portions of the heater. The bottom wall 58 of the main supportframe has an outwardly extending rib member 62 which cooperates with anassembly plate 64 to secure both frame members together. The assemblyplate 64 includes main panels 65 and 67 disposed perpendicular to eachother. The main panel 65 includes a groove 69 which engages the rib 62for securing the heater frames together. As shown in FIGS. 3, and 6, themain frame 54 includes depressed fingers 66 in the rear panel whichreceive the rearward extending flanges 48 of the heater framesubassembly.

To assemble the radiant heater according to the present invention, therear flanges 48 of the heater frame sub-assembly are fitted ontothe'rear panel fingers 66 of the main frame. The assembly plate 64engages the rib 62 and snaps into place against reversed flanges 50 toretain the lower portion of the heater frame with respect to the mainframe. Suitable fastening means such as machine screws 68 secure theassembly plate 64 to retainer plates 70. The retainer plates 70preferably are lateral extensions of the end walls 61 as shown in FIG.1.

When assembled it will be observed that a clear passage for convectioncurrents is maintained between the heater element sub-assembly and themain frame. That is to say, convection air is free to pass under theheater frame as indicated by arrows and to divert into a first streamthrough the space defined by the heater panel 16 and its support panel32 and a second convec tion current between the sub-assembly supportpanel 32 and the main frame 56. This natural draft convection currentflows from the top of the radiant heater through the curved channel 60defined by the top wall of the heater. As best shown at FIG. 4, passageof the convection current is provided because of the spacing of theforwardly and rearwardly directed flanges 34 and 48 of the sub-assemblypanel. It is to be observed that the upper and lower flanges of thispanel are spaced in similar relation to each other to provide suchpassage of air.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing description of the presentinvention that applicant has provided an improved radiant heater whichprovides economic construction with more effective use of convectioncurrents for heating.

What is claimed is:

l. A radiant heater comprising a sub-assembly frame having a generallyrectangular mounting panel with a top marginal portion and a bottommarginal portion, a first set of flanges extending frontwardly from thetop and bottom marginal portions of said mounting panel for receivingand supporting a heating panel in spaced relation to said mounting,panel said flanges being arranged to allow convection currents to flowacross front of said mounting panel, spacing elements fitted into saidfrontwardly extending flanges, an electric heating panel mounted on saidspacing elements in rattle-free relation in said mounting panel, a framemember cooperating with said first set of flanges for retaining theheating panel in sub-assembly with respect to said mounting panel, saidmounting panel further having a second set of flanges extendingrearwardly from its top and bottom marginal portions, said second set offlanges including a plurality of flange members at said top and bottommargins spaced laterally from each other to allow for flow of convectioncurrents past the rear of said mounting panel and between the flangemembers; main frame member comprising a panel having forwardly extendingtop, bottom, and end wall portions, the panel of said main frame memberbeing provided with projections stuck out from the forward surfacethereof, said second set of flanges along the top margin includingdownwardly directed portions which engage said projections to therebysuspend the sub-assembly in the main frame member in spaced relationthereto whereby two convection air passages are, the first between saidheating panel and said mounting panel member, and the second between themounting panel member and the main frame member, the flanges of thesecond set along said bottom margin further including articulateddownwardly and frontwardly extending portions for cooperating in theassembly of the heater, and being adapted to abut against the forwardface of the panel of said main frame member, and an assembly plateengaging the articulated portions and the bottom wall of the main framefor retaining the sub-assembly and the main frame in assembledrelationship with respect to each other, said sub-assembly being mountedwith respect to the main frame so that convection currents may passbetween the sub-assembly and the main frame.

2. The radiant heater as defined in claim 1 wherein the top wall portionof the main frame member is curved to define a convection channel forheated air passing through the heater.

3. The radiant heater of claim 1 which further includes a protectivegrill mounted over the front of the heating panel.

1. A radiant heater comprising a sub-assembly frame having a generallyrectangular mounting panel with a top marginal portion and a bottommarginal portion, a first set of flanges extending frontwardly from thetop and bottom marginal portions of said mounting panel for receivingand supporting a heating panel in spaced relation to said mounting,panel said flanges being arranged to allow convection currents to flowacross front of said mounting panel, spacing elements fitted into saidfrontwardly extending flanges, an electric heating panel mounted on saidspacing elements in rattle-free relation in said mounting panel, a framemember coopeRating with said first set of flanges for retaining theheating panel in sub-assembly with respect to said mounting panel, saidmounting panel further having a second set of flanges extendingrearwardly from its top and bottom marginal portions, said second set offlanges including a plurality of flange members at said top and bottommargins spaced laterally from each other to allow for flow of convectioncurrents past the rear of said mounting panel and between the flangemembers; main frame member comprising a panel having forwardly extendingtop, bottom, and end wall portions, the panel of said main frame memberbeing provided with projections stuck out from the forward surfacethereof, said second set of flanges along the top margin includingdownwardly directed portions which engage said projections to therebysuspend the sub-assembly in the main frame member in spaced relationthereto whereby two convection air passages are, the first between saidheating panel and said mounting panel member, and the second between themounting panel member and the main frame member, the flanges of thesecond set along said bottom margin further including articulateddownwardly and frontwardly extending portions for cooperating in theassembly of the heater, and being adapted to abut against the forwardface of the panel of said main frame member, and an assembly plateengaging the articulated portions and the bottom wall of the main framefor retaining the subassembly and the main frame in assembledrelationship with respect to each other, said sub-assembly being mountedwith respect to the main frame so that convection currents may passbetween the sub-assembly and the main frame.
 2. The radiant heater asdefined in claim 1 wherein the top wall portion of the main frame memberis curved to define a convection channel for heated air passing throughthe heater.
 3. The radiant heater of claim 1 which further includes aprotective grill mounted over the front of the heating panel.